BE PATIENT

Pastor Corey Mantz

Woodland Church

December 31, 2023

(Proverbs 16:32, GNT) “It is better to be patient than powerful. It is better to win control over yourself than over whole cities.” 

• Interruptions

(Matthew 19:13-14, CEV) “Some people brought their children to Jesus, so he could place his hands on them and pray for them. His disciples told the people to stop bothering him. But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and don’t try to stop them! People who are like these children belong to God’s kingdom.”

• Inconveniences

(Luke 10:40, NLT) “Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

• Irritations

(Numbers 20:10-11, NLT) “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.”

• Inactivity

(Job 14:14, GNT) “But I will wait for better times, wait till this time of trouble is ended.”

1. Develop a new perspective

(Proverbs 4:5, GNT) “Get wisdom and insight! Do not forget or ignore what I say.”

(Proverbs 20:24, NLT) “The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?”

2. Acquire a sense of humor

(Proverbs 15:13, GW) “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but with a heartache comes depression.”

(Proverbs 17:22, GW) “A joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains one’s strength.”

3. Deepen your love

(1 Corinthians 13:4, NLT) “Love is patient”

(Ephesians 4:1-2, NLT) “Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”

4. Depend on the Lord

(Psalm 37:7, NLT) “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.”

(Psalm 37:5, NLT) “Commit everything you do to the Lord.  Trust him, and he will help you.”